Acrylic Flat Paint

Acrylic paint dries quickly, so don't make your palette until you're ready to paint. If you have to take a break, cover your palette with plastic wrap to keep it moist for a few more hours. Never leave the lid of your acrylic paint uncapped, and don't let your brush get covered in paint.

Instead of using paint straight from the bottle or tube, try mixing them. Use primary colors (red, blue, and yellow) to make your own unique secondary colors (purple, orange, and green).

Adding white will make colors lighter and more muted, creating a softer hue. Adding black will make colors darker and more muted (like burgundy or navy). You can also add brown, more earthy tones to secondary colors by adding primary colors. For example, adding a little blue to red and yellow will create a burnt orange.

Too much paint on the bristles will make it harder to control the details of your painting and will increase the time it takes for your painting to dry. It will also make your brushes harder to clean thoroughly.

You can always grab more paint and add more layers to get the right look. So only apply as much paint as you need to your brush (unless you're going for a very thick, textured painting).

Use a mix of flat, round, and highlighter brushes to get different shapes, strokes, and textures. You can also use similar brushes in different sizes to add variety and small details to make your artwork stand out.

Different tools, acrylic mediums, and techniques can help you get the final effect you want. For example, glazing can add depth to the color. We've put together 14 acrylic painting techniques that you can try out and make your own.

We recommend creating or printing out a reference image before you start. Painting from memory can be a challenge - even professional painters quickly sketch out their ideas first, whether in pencil, charcoal, or paint.

Another great way to practice is to follow a tutorial so you can get an idea of what you want to create and get expert tips along the way. Our painting tutorial videos allow painters of all ages to follow in the footsteps of artists, improve their skills, and have fun.

If you make a mistake, all is not lost. The best way to fix a mistake with acrylic paint is to let it dry and then paint over it. That way, you can move on.

If you want each layer to dry a little faster, use a hair dryer. Set the hair dryer to the lowest setting to avoid bubbling or cracking the paint. Keep the hair dryer at least 6 inches away from the canvas and keep it moving to avoid staying in one position for too long.

One of our most important tips is to clean your brushes thoroughly – try not to let acrylic paint dry on the bristles. Acrylic paint becomes plastic-like when it dries, and it's very difficult to remove once it sets. While painting, place the brushes you're using in a glass of water to make cleanup much easier. But don't let them sit for hours.

When you're done painting, always rinse your brushes with water and gently place them in the bottom of a cup. Then, dry the brushes with a paper towel to reshape the bristles back to their original shape, and then set them aside to dry completely. Paint brushes can last a long time if they're properly cared for.